Senior Scientist - Synthetic Organic/Medicinal Chemistry

Job Description Summary

At Novartis, we are reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. We use innovative science and technology to address some of society's most challenging healthcare issues. We discover and develop breakthrough treatments and find new ways to deliver them to as many people as possible. In 2020, we reached >800 million patients with our products. How can we continue to advance our science to help even more patients in need? We believe the answers are found when curious, courageous, and collaborative people are empowered to ask new questions, make bolder decisions, and take smarter risks.

In Global Discovery Chemistry (GDC) at Novartis Biomedical Research in Basel, Switzerland, we are at the core of Novartis’ purpose, designing and making new molecules for treating patients. We are looking for a highly motivated, passionate chemist with a curious mindset and cultural agility to invent innovative medicines and help advance the frontiers of drug discovery. Join us and help reimagine medicine!

 

Job Description

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Plan and execute chemical syntheses of novel drug molecules (including LMW and bRo5) aided by in silico tools and facilitated by state-of-the-art synthetic methodologies and technologies (automation, miniaturization).

• Experiment in a first-class laboratory infrastructure and evaluate and deploy novel synthetic technologies to progress projects.

• Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary project team and integrate experimental data to develop scientific hypotheses and prioritize novel molecules for synthesis to answer key project questions.

• Intellectual contribution to the success of project(s) e.g. design of novel compounds and synthesis routes as well as application of data analysis and digital tools.

• Support and coach other team members by sharing your know-how and experience.

• Discuss and communicate scientific results at project/group meetings.

• Take over responsibilities to maintain the highest levels of laboratory safety and infrastructure.  

Minimum Requirements What you will bring to the role:

• Degree from a University or Fachhochschule (BSc, MSc or Diplom) with a strong focus on synthetic organic chemistry, or education as Lab Technician / Chemielaborant (or equivalent apprenticeship) with significant further chemistry training.

• At least 7 years of drug discovery experience with excellent theoretical and practical knowledge in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry.

• A strong passion for hands-on chemistry experimentation in the laboratory.

• Ability to critically interpret results, build new experimental hypotheses, take calculated risks and make smart decisions.

• Interest in disruptive technologies and science trends, such as data science and automation/miniaturization, and their application to drug discovery.

• Experience in overseeing synthesis conducted at Contract Research Organizations (CROs) is viewed as an advantage.

• Experience with molecules in the bRo5 chemical space such as peptides or siRNA is not a requirement but is viewed favorably.

• A mind-set of curiosity, creativity, collaboration and openness to diverse thinking, with an enthusiasm to develop yourself and others, along with having excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Aptitude to work in a fast-paced team-oriented matrix environment to collaborate within a highly dynamic team.

Accessibility and accommodation

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.switzerland@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

 

Skills Desired